Features

The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation has awarded grants to LAPS teachers in the twice-yearly opportunity to compete for funding of educational projects.
Six of seven schools in the district submitted applications and all six of those schools received some funding for projects.
The grants are written by teachers and educational faculty and must demonstrate creativity, prudence and a way to measure the benefit to students.

The Chess Team from Aspen Elementary School recently won two National Championships at the United States Chess Federation National Scholastic Chess Championships — a feat never before accomplished by any New Mexico school, despite the strong history of New Mexico scholastic chess.
More than 400 schools from 37 states traveled to Dallas in late November to participate in 15 separate National Championship sections: one championship for each grade kindergarten through 12th and two Blitz chess championships, one for elementary schools and another for secondary schools.

Only a few days remain to nominate people who live or work in Los Alamos for the Community Asset Awards.
The program, sponsored by Assets In Action and the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, will celebrate nominees’ year of promoting the good work in and around the community and throughout the world.
The 2010 event recognized 42 community members with feats of good deeds that benefited the young and the young-at-heart.
Those nominated will be recognized for their good deeds on Jan. 7 at the Best Western Hilltop House Hotel. Chef Torres will whip up a bevy of baked goods for the sweet affair.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — His mythical exploits and jail escapes made this son of Irish immigrants one of the nation’s most famous Old West outlaws. Yet fewer know that the man widely known as Billy the Kid was a central figure in a violent, Irish-English land war in New Mexico, and was beloved by Mexican-American ranchers who felt discriminated against by racist white bankers and land thieves.
And the Kid’s end came only after he refused to abandon his Mexican-American teen girlfriend.

Village Arts will present the work of Alex Scheinker through January. Scheinker, born in Moscow and raised in New York, is a more recent resident of New Mexico. He credits a visit to Touching Stone Gallery in Santa Fe with his inspiration to begin working in the Sumi-e traditional style of Chinese ink painting.
“I had never seen so much texture, such stark contrast, such powerful simplicity and I was instantly thinking, how did they do this? What is it? I want to do this,” he said.

Tlatelolco, Mexico — 1531. Years of torture and slavery made the native population less than accepting of the Spanish Catholic forces now dominating their lands; but one event transformed the beliefs of thousands of Aztecs. One of their own was visited by a celestial messenger promising protection for his people and the direct word of God, if a temple was built in her name.
Each December, millions celebrate the anniversary of her appearance to the native Juan Diego, many of these celebrations are in New Mexico. It is said that those who pray to her witness miracles for themselves and for others.

Los Alamos Public Schools will accept open enrollment applications for School Year 2012-13 starting at 7 a.m. Thursday.
The application is posted on laschools.net or one can be picked up from the district office receptionist.
Completed applications may be dropped off with the district office receptionist, faxed to 663-3247, or scanned and emailed to Gayla Romero at g.romero@laschools.net.
Applications are put in order by date and time received, but parents who stand in line will have a priority over parents who fax or email their application.
The district office is open from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and is located at 2075 Trinity Dr., across from Ashley Pond.

We would like to thank everyone in our community who contributed in creating a wonderful morning for the children of our community at the Children’s Christmas Bazaar at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church during Winterfest on Dec. 3.
One hundred forty one children and their parents enjoyed this community event.

The Los Alamos Public Schools will lose a cog from its well-oiled machine, known more commonly as the Piñon Panthers.
Jose N. Martinez started working as a custodian for LAPS in 1976 and rounds out his career today, with a celebration of his life and work.
Martinez builds the assets of both students and staff by going out of his way to be a smiling presence. He starts out the day by making teachers and staff feel good, which is naturally passed on to the students. He can be found still smiling at the end of a long day, which is a sight also welcomed by staff.
Martinez commutes each day through all types of weather, which indicates his personal integrity and quiet dignity.

As we look at positive identity and self esteem this month, I decided to reflect on the sport of wrestling.
I know I have discussed the values of wrestling at some point, but this weekend, I saw wrestling in a new way and thought I’d share.
The sport in and of itself, builds self esteem, but in some pretty interesting ways.
The wrestler starts off with his or her weight predominately displayed on a small digital sign for the crowd to see. This explains why the sport is dominated by boys, but makes it even more impressive when you see a girl on the mat.
If you haven’t seen a match before, for the spectator, it looks a bit like boxing. There are two athletes, one on either side, with their coaches in the corners.

Mountain School’s Green Team celebrated National Recycling Day Nov. 15 with a door-decorating contest. Los Alamos County Environmental Services Specialist Tom Nagawiecki, stopped by one of green team’s meetings and explained what materials are recyclable in the county.
The green team created a school-wide newsletter explaining the information to the entire school, based on what they learned from Nagawiecki’s visit.
The classes decorated their door with recycled materials and created a door slogan and some students included earth friendly pledges to the decorated doors.

The Los Alamos Animal Shelter, 226 East Road, 662-8179, has a great selection of on-site adoptable pets; others are in foster care with loving, temporary homes.
Be sure to click on the Friends of the Shelter website, www.lafos.org. You can volunteer and/or donate, as well as check out links to all our adoptable pals.
We have a new color-coding system to help you select your perfect new family member. Check it out.
Two for the price of one. This is an opportunity to double your feline pleasure.

DOGS

Baby — Young spayed female GSD-mix. Very friendly. Loves the dog park.
Buddy —Another young neutered male GSD-mix. Just waiting on shots. Very sweet and friendly.

The Los Alamos High School NJROTC conducted its annual military inspection on Dec. 2.
Every other year, the area manager for NJROTC Area 9 visits the unit and conducts an on-site inspection.
This year the area manager, Cmdr. Dial traveled from his headquarters in Millington, Tenn. to conduct the inspection. In addition to the personnel inspection where Dial inspected each of the 85 cadets, other inspection categories include: school system program support, administration of the program, academic program and student mentoring.
A complete inventory of all Navy provided equipment, uniforms, drill rifles and Navy provided academic materials was conducted.

There’s still time to sign up for the annual spring break trip to Washington, D.C. This trip is available to Los Alamos Middle School and home schooled eighth grade students.
The trip is private and not school-sponsored. Sign-up at worldstrides.org using ID number 65383 or call 1-800-468-5899, using the same ID Number.

There are many organizations in town that raise funds for various causes. It seems like there’s always some sort of benefit dinner being held or money being collected to help one group or another.
One of those organizations is the American Legion Post 90. In fact on Saturday, they had a dinner and raffle to raise funds for the Paws and Stripes program, which takes shelter animals, trains them and pairs them with military veterans who suffer from various illnesses, including post traumatic stress disorder.

Los Alamos Middle School Principal Rex Kilburn rallies the troops at LAMS for the Youth Food Project. In addition, the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board recently received a State Farm Adivosry Grant, to benefit LAMS. The State Farm Advisory Grant work party will be at the school near the new solar array from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. The work party, under the direction of teacher Stephanie Krantz, would appreciate any donation of time from community members. Volunteers are asked to bring shovels and gloves. Bernadette Lauritzen/Courtesy

On Sunday, there will be a special Contemporary Service to celebrate the gift of life and love that God has given in the birth of His Son, Christ Jesus. The service will begin at 6:07 p.m. in Kelly Hall. There will also be a Christmas meal of ham with all the trimmings and dessert at 5:17 p.m., just before the service. This will be the last service of 2011, as there will be no service on Christmas Day. Join in the celebration and the dinner. Trinity on the Hill is located at the corner of Trinity and Diamond, at 3900 Trinity Dr. Richard TripletT/Courtesy

NEW YORK (AP) — Welcome to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Guns N’ Roses.
The seminal rock band of the late 1980s and early ‘90s, best known for hits like “Welcome to the Jungle,” ‘’Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “November Rain,” leads the 2012 class of inductees announced on Wednesday. Also making the cut is the hip-hop trio Beastie Boys; rockers the Red Hot Chili Peppers; the late singer/songwriter Laura Nyro; Donovan; and influential British rock group The Small Faces/The Faces, which included Rod Stewart and Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood.